Daily Readings - Mon Feb 01 2021
Hebrews
32And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets:33Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,34Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.35Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection:36And others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment:37They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented;38Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth.39And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise:40God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.
Mark
1And they came over unto the other side of the sea, into the country of the Gadarenes.2And when he was come out of the ship, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,3Who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no man could bind him, no, not with chains:4Because that he had been often bound with fetters and chains, and the chains had been plucked asunder by him, and the fetters broken in pieces: neither could any man tame him.5And always, night and day, he was in the mountains, and in the tombs, crying, and cutting himself with stones.6But when he saw Jesus afar off, he ran and worshipped him,7And cried with a loud voice, and said, What have I to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.8For he said unto him, Come out of the man, thou unclean spirit.9And he asked him, What is thy name? And he answered, saying, My name is Legion: for we are many.10And he besought him much that he would not send them away out of the country.11Now there was there nigh unto the mountains a great herd of swine feeding.12And all the devils besought him, saying, Send us into the swine, that we may enter into them.13And forthwith Jesus gave them leave. And the unclean spirits went out, and entered into the swine: and the herd ran violently down a steep place into the sea, (they were about two thousand;) and were choked in the sea.14And they that fed the swine fled, and told it in the city, and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that was done.15And they come to Jesus, and see him that was possessed with the devil, and had the legion, sitting, and clothed, and in his right mind: and they were afraid.16And they that saw it told them how it befell to him that was possessed with the devil, and also concerning the swine.17And they began to pray him to depart out of their coasts.18And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him.19Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.20And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the profound power of faith and the transformative grace of God. The first reading from Hebrews 11 presents a gallery of faithful figures who endured immense trials and hardships, trusting in God's promises despite not seeing their fulfillment in their lifetimes. This passage emphasizes the enduring nature of faith, highlighting that the saints of old are part of a larger community of believers, all journeying toward the same eternal promise. Their stories inspire us to remain steadfast in our own faith, even when faced with challenges.
The Gospel from Mark 5 narrates the dramatic healing of a man tormented by many demons, known as Legion. This story showcases Jesus's authority and compassion as He restores the man to wholeness. The man's transformation from a state of turmoil to one of peace and sanity exemplifies the redemptive power of encountering Christ. The healed man's eagerness to share his experience with others underscores the call to evangelization, demonstrating that our faith is not meant to be kept to ourselves but shared with the world.
Both readings beautifully intertwine, illustrating the connection between faith and action. The examples from Hebrews encourage us to trust in God's plan, even when the outcomes are unclear. The Gospel story shows how this faith can lead to personal transformation and a desire to witness to God's grace. In our daily lives, we are called to embrace this faith, trusting in God's providence and allowing His grace to transform us. Just as the healed man shared his story, we too are called to share the ways God has touched our lives, spreading hope and inspiration to those around us. Let us, therefore, approach our challenges with faith, trusting in God's plan and allowing His grace to flow through us.